Introduction: Reuse Bed Springs As a Plant Climber
I suffer from massive Eco guilt so when it came to getting rid of a single mattress, I wanted to take it apart and see what could be reused or recycled.
We've just started growing some veg in our house so I decided to make a plant climber. The springs make a great support and look cool too.
You'll need:
A mattress
A knife or hardcore scissors
Wire cutters
Spray paint
Newspaper (to cover the ground when spraying)
A few nails
Step 1: Separate Springs From Mattress
This was a bit of a hassle. I used a penknife to cut into the fabric of the mattress. There were a few layers to get through, the outer fabric and a layer of insulation. These were stitched together and attached to the bed springs with staples. Take the staples off and the bed springs come out as one big block
Step 2: Cut to Size
The springs are connected in columns by long coils of wire. Choose how large a block you need and use wire cutters to snip through the coil between each spring. Just unwind them and remove, but keep them for later to reattach blocks of springs in whatever arrangement you want.
Step 3: Get Spraying
These springs will rust very quickly if just left in the rain. To make them last longer and to brighten up your garden, give them a paint.
I used leftover spray paint. I'm really happy with the blue though the green is a bit dull.
Step 4: Get Planting
I reconnected two blocks of springs with the sections of coiled wire I cut off (also painted) and hung them above the plant trough on a couple of nails, hammered into the back of my garage.
I've used mine for a pea plant. The tendrils are really loving curling round the bed springs. Hoping to get some good crops out of it but am a beginner with this gardening malarkey so will have to see.
Good luck!